Apparatus and method for monitoring operational performance of an engine, the apparatus comprising a sensor (10) for detecting torsional strain of a shaft (21) of an engine, and the apparatus further comprising a data processor arranged to process signals received from the strain sensor, and the data processor further arranged to compare one or more operational characteristics of the measured torsional strain data with idealised operational data so as to provide a measure of operational performance indicator of the engine.

Power transmitted from a cyclist to a bicycle through crank arms is indirectly measured by performing calculations on direct physical measurements. The direct physical measurements are taken from sensors that can be non-rotationally coupled to the frame of the bicycle. The sensors can be integrated into the frame or installed as a module within a standard, unmodified bicycle bottom bracket. Measured power can be viewed by the cyclist using a wirelessly connected user interface device.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control device for a dynamometer system, with which, by a simple method, an unloaded state can be reproduced highly accurately when a test piece is started. A dynamo control device 6 is provided with: an integral control input computation unit 611 for computing the integral value of axle torque deviation, and multiplying the sum thereof and a correction value by an integral gain to compute an integral control input; a correction value computation unit 612 for multiplying an inertia compensation quantity Jcmp by the dynamo rotation frequency to compute a correction value; a non-integral control input computation unit 613 for designating, as a non-integral control input, the output of a prescribed transmission function Ge0(s) having axle torque deviation as input; and a totaling unit 614 for totaling the integral control input and the non-integral control input in order to generate a torque current command signal to the dynamometer. The transmission function Ge0(s) of the non-integral control input computation unit 613 is derived by separating the integrator from a transmission function Ge(s) having an axle torque control function, in such a way as to satisfy the relational equation (Ge(s)=Ki/s+Ge0(s)).

The method involves a step of measurement of a bearing force (Fp.sub.n) on a pedal (1) of the pedal set (4), different from the useful effort, exerted by the individual during a pedalling cycle, a step of determination of a maximum (max(Fp.sub.n)) of the bearing force measured during the pedalling cycle (CF.sub.j), and a step of estimation of a mean useful effort exerted by the individual during said pedalling cycle from the maximum of the bearing force determined and with the aid of a predetermined correlation function between a maximum bearing force during a pedalling cycle and a mean useful effort in said cycle.

A method of adjusting the closing force of a door coupled to a door closer assembly having a bias element. The method includes determining the kinetic energy of the door without using the weight or other dimensions of the door. The determined kinetic energy is used to adjust the closing force of an electro-mechanical door closer that includes a spring and a motor. The door includes the use of one, some of, or all of an accelerometer, an angular position sensor, a time to close, a breaking torque, and a controller to identify values of acceleration, velocity, and/or position of the door. The identified values are provided to the controller, which is configured to calculate the kinetic energy of the door. The calculated kinetic energy is used to determine the closing velocity of the door closure to ensure proper operation of the door at the point of installation.

A power meter for a bicycle includes a body having a torque input section and a torque output section, the body configured to transmit power between the torque input section and the torque output section. The power meter also includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having a substrate and at least one strain measurement device which may be attached to the PCB.

A torque and power measuring device corresponding to the non-drive side cyclist leg, comprising a hollow shaft connecting the two bicycle crank arms with strain sensors arranged in the shaft surface. These sensors are connected to an electronic control unit housed inside the shaft, to which are also connected other different sensors to measure a plurality of interesting quantities (pedaling cadence, crank arm angular position . . . ). This electronic control unit picks the sensor signals up, stores them and performs pre-programmed software operations to later wirelessly output the result signals towards a receiving device for analysis and/or storage them, by means of an antenna located outside the shaft and anchored to the outer surface of the jointed crank arm with the shaft.

Systems and methods for testing the accuracy of a bicycle training apparatus that is configured to measure the power output of a cyclist riding on a bicycle. The system includes a base, a main drive shaft secured to the base, a motor secured to the base and configured to rotate the main drive shaft, torque and rotational speed sensors configured to measure the torque and rotational speed of the main drive shaft during rotation thereof. The bicycle training apparatus may be secured relative to the base and functionally coupled to the main drive shaft. The motor may then be operated to apply a power input to the bicycle training apparatus while measuring the torque and rotational speed of the main drive shaft and the power input with the bicycle training apparatus. The resulting measurements may be compared to determine the accuracy of the bicycle training apparatus.

Power measurement device for a bicycle trainer, which device is built as a unitary relocatable device comprising an acceleration or velocity sensor, a microcontroller and a memory, wherein the device is equipped with or connectable to a power source, preferably a battery, and wherein the device is equipped with a communication facility to enable the device to wirelessly or through wires communicate with an external application device.

A power measurement device, which may be mounted to an inside area of a crank arm, includes processing circuitry within a housing. The processing circuitry is coupled with strain gauges mounted on the crank arm, and produces a power value that is wireless transmitted to a separate display that may receive and display power measurements. The housing may include a mounted portion and a cantilever portion where the mounted portion houses the processing circuitry and the cantilever portion houses batteries supply energy for the processing circuitry and other features.